Devices and methods for securing an object to a first structure through a hole in a second structure

ABSTRACT

A device is provided which enables an object such as a window protection device to be secured to a structure, where the device passes through a hole in one or more structures located between the object, and the structure to which attachment is desired. The device can be screwed, or otherwise attached, to wood structural framing which is concealed beneath veneer, such as bricks and other masonry. The other end of the device receives a tool which allows such an installation, and also the removal of the device. The other end also receives a fastener, such as a bolt, which secures the material or the track to the end of the device, the end of the device being substantially flush with the exterior veneer surface. The end of the device is flared to seal the hole in the veneer and increase the stability of the device in the hole.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation in part application from the parent applicationhaving the application Ser. No. 09/359,187, filed Jul. 22, 1999, by theabove-referenced inventor. Applicant claims the filing date of suchapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Severe weather often dictates that window openings be covered byplywood, other sheets of protective material, or shutters. For buildingsconstructed using various veneers, this activity is often complicated bythe lack of a satisfactory exterior surface for attaching the protectivematerial. In some cases, builders are forced to add exposed, forwardfacing wood framing for this purpose—a feature many owners findaesthetically undesirable.

Window openings in veneer constructions are often proximate structuralframing, of wood or metal, behind the veneer material. This framing, ifaccessible, is structurally suitable for attaching protective materialor shutter attachment hardware, such as shutter hinges or tracks forrolldown shutters. Complicating the use of such framing for this purposeis its concealed location and the desirability of avoiding a significantload on the veneer. Furthermore, when the protective material isremoved, it is undesirable to leave unattractive attachment hardwareexposed for viewing.

Existing devices for the protection of windows during severe weather areinsufficient to address such issues. U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,935 provides atrack assembly for mounting storm panels, and includes a rail which isinstalled as a recessed mount within the exterior wall of a house or abuilding. The device is shown to be fastened to the exterior surface ofa building by several methods, none of which access the concealedstructural framing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,452 provides a storm shutterapparatus having a panel member, a brace member, and an assembly forremovably securing the end of the brace member to the building structureadjacent to the building opening. The assembly has an anchor member forattaching to the building, but no provision is made for accessingconcealed structural framing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,235 discloses a windowcover which is secured by wood screws directly screwed into the windowframe. No provision is made for accessing the concealed structuralframing. The device attaches to exposed window framing, and does notprovide for access to concealed structural framing.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,541,675 provides an integrated window frame having amovable window sash in its lower portion and glass blocks in its upperportion. No access to the concealed structural framing is provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,443 provides a fire and impact resistant windowassembly which has a multi-part centrally open marginal frame. U.S. Pat.No. 2,566,067 provides an auxiliary frame construction which isinstalled within the window frame of the building. Neither of theseprovide access to the concealed structural framing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,883 provides a bar device which can be installed ina window opening to which a sheet of covering material can be secured toprotect the window. The bar device includes a turnbuckle. Pads areforced against wall elements which define a window opening in order tosecure the bar device in the window opening. No access is provided toconcealed structural framing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,642 provides a stormshutter which can be permanently or temporarily mounted. Each shutterincludes a rigid peripheral channel frame. No access is provided toconcealed structural framing.

What is needed is a device for attaching the protective material to theconcealed structural framing through holes in the veneer, and supportingsubstantially all of the weight to the exclusion of the veneer. Theneeded device should be simple to install and easily removable. When notin use, such a device and the veneer holes should be easily concealablefrom view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention is a device and a method for attaching protective materialto concealed structural framing through holes in the veneer. My devicesupports substantially all of the weight of the protective material tothe exclusion of the veneer. My device is simply installed and easilyremoved. When not in use, my device and the veneer holes can be easilyconcealed from view.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a device for securing anobject to a first structure through a hole in a second structure,comprising an elongated member, the member having a first end and asecond end, the member first end having threads, the member second endhaving an interior, the member second end interior being shaped andsized for receiving a fastener within the member second end interior,the member second end interior also being shaped and sized to receive atool, such that the member is rotatable, in either direction, bymanipulation of the received tool.

According to a further embodiment, the member first end further has adiameter, the member first end diameter being approximately equal to thediameter of the fastener.

According to a further embodiment, the rigidity of the elongated memberis such that, when the member is attached to the first structure theweight of the secured object is substantially removed from the secondstructure.

According to a further embodiment, the device further comprises themember first end, the first end further having a diameter, and themember second end, the second end further having a diameter, the secondend diameter tapering to correspond with the first end diameter.

According to a further embodiment, the device further comprises themember first end, the first end further having a diameter, and themember second end, the second end further having a diameter, the secondend diameter being larger than the first end diameter.

According to a further embodiment, the member first end threads are woodscrew threads, the wood screw threads being positioned such that themember screws into the first structure when rotated.

According to a further embodiment, the member first end threads are lagscrew threads, the lag screw threads being positioned such that themember screws into the first structure when rotated.

According to a further embodiment, the member first end threads aremachine screw threads, the machine screw threads being positioned suchthat the member screws into the first structure when rotated.

According to a further embodiment, the device further comprises a plug,the plug being shaped and sized such that it is securely received by thesecond end interior when no fastener is in such second end interior.

According to a further embodiment, the device further comprises theplug, the plug having a cap, the cap being sized such that itsubstantially covers hole in the second structure when the plug isinserted into the second end interior.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is an Allen wrench.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a ratchet tip.

According to a further embodiment, the tool has a substantially squareended tip for insertion.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a screwdriver.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a Phillips screwdriver.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a square end screwdriver.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a flathead screwdriver.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a threaded fastener.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a bolt.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a screw.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a non-threadedfastener.

According to a further embodiment, the member is metal.

According to a further embodiment, the member is stainless steel.

According to a further embodiment, the member is galvanized metal.

According to a further embodiment, the member is iron.

According to one application of the device, the secured object isplywood.

According to a further application, the secured object is a sheet ofmetal.

According to a further application, the secured object is a sheet ofplastic.

According to a further application, the secured object is a sheet offiberglass.

According to a further application, the secured object is a rolldownshutter track.

According to a further application, the secured object is a windowcovering track.

According to a further application, the secured object is a shutterhinge.

According to a further application, the secured object is a shuttermounting device.

According to a further application, the secured object is a shutter.

According to a further application, the first structure is wood.

According to a further application, the first structure is wood windowframing.

According to a further application, the first structure is metal.

According to a further application, the second structure is brick.

According to a further application, the second structure is rock.

According to a further application, the second structure is stucco.

According to a further application, the second structure is syntheticstucco.

According to a further application, the second structure is ExteriorInsulation and Finish System.

According to a further application, the second structure is masonry.

According to a further application, the second structure is wood siding.

According to a further application, the second structure is aluminumsiding.

According to a further application, the second structure is metalsiding.

According to a further application, the second structure is vinylsiding.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a device for securing anobject to a first structure through a hole in a second structure,comprising: an elongated member, the member having a first end and asecond end, the member second end having an interior; means forattaching the member to the first structure; means for securing anobject to the member second end; and means for receiving a tool withinthe second end interior, such that the member is rotatable, in eitherdirection, by manipulation of the tool.

According to one embodiment, there is provided for windows in veneerwalls of the type having wood frame structure surrounding the windowopening and concealed behind the veneer, a device for attaching a sheetof material to such wood frame structure through holes bored in theveneer, comprising an elongated member, the member having a first endand a second end, the member first end having threads for attaching themember to the wood frame structure, the member second end having aninterior, the member second end being shaped and sized for receiving afastener within the member second end interior, the member second endinterior also being shaped and sized to receive a tool, such that themember is rotatable, in either direction, by manipulation of thereceived tool.

According to one embodiment, there is provided for windows in veneerwalls of the type having wood frame structure surrounding the windowopening and concealed behind the veneer, a device for attaching a sheetof material to such wood frame structure through holes bored in theveneer, comprising: an elongated member, the member having a first endand a second end, the member first end having threads for attaching themember to the wood frame structure, the member second end having aninterior; means for securing the sheet of material to the member secondend; and means for receiving a tool within the second end interior, suchthat the member is rotatable, in either direction, by manipulation ofthe tool.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a method for attachingone or more objects to a first structure where a second structure isbetween the first structure and the one or more objects, comprising thesteps of: boring a plurality of holes through the second structure, eachhole aligned with a surface of the first structure; inserting anelongated member through each hole; fastening each member to the firststructure, by inserting a tool into the interior of each such member andmanipulating the tool such that each such member is rotated; removingthe tool from the member; aligning one or more holes in each object tobe attached with a fastened member; placing a fastener within each holein each such object; fastening the each such object to such members byjoining each such fastener with a fastened member.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is an Allen wrench.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a ratchet tip.

According to a further embodiment, the tool has a substantially squareended tip for insertion.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a screwdriver.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a Phillips screwdriver.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a square end screwdriver.

According to a further embodiment, the tool is a flathead screwdriver.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a threaded fastener.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a bolt.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a screw.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a non-threadedfastener.

According to a further embodiment, the member is metal.

According to a further embodiment, the member is stainless steel.

According to a further embodiment, the member is galvanized metal.

According to a further embodiment, the member is iron.

According to one application of the method, the one or more securedobjects includes plywood.

According to a further application, the one or more secured objectsincludes a sheet of metal.

According to a further application, the one or more secured objectsincludes a sheet of plastic.

According to a further application, the one or more secured objectsincludes a sheet of fiberglass.

According to a further application, the one or more secured objectsincludes a rolldown shutter track.

According to a further application, the one or more secured objectsincludes a window covering track.

According to a further application, the one or more secured objectsincludes a shutter hinge.

According to a further application, the one or more secured objectsincludes a shutter mounting device.

According to a further application, the one or more secured objectsincludes a shutter.

According to a further application, the first structure is wood.

According to a further application, the first structure is wood windowframing.

According to a further application, the first structure is metal.

According to a further application, the second structure is brick.

According to a further application, the second structure is rock.

According to a further application, the second structure is stucco.

According to a further application, the second structure is syntheticstucco.

According to a further application, the second structure is ExteriorInsulation and Finish System.

According to a further application, the second structure is masonry.

According to a further application, the second structure is wood siding.

According to a further application, the second structure is aluminumsiding.

According to a further application, the second structure is metalsiding.

According to a further application, the second structure is vinylsiding.

According to one embodiment, there is provided, for windows in veneerwalls of the type having wood frame structure surrounding the windowopening and concealed behind the veneer, a method for attaching one ormore objects to the wood frame structure, comprising the steps of:boring a plurality of holes through the veneer, each hole aligned with asurface of the wood frame structure; inserting an elongated memberthrough each hole; fastening each member to the wood frame structure, byinserting a tool into the interior of each such member and manipulatingthe tool such that each such member is rotated; removing the tool fromthe member; aligning one or more holes in each object to be attachedwith a fastened member; placing a fastener within each hole in each suchobject; fastening the each such object to such members by joining eachsuch fastener with a fastened member.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a method for attaching asheet of material to a first structure where a second structure isbetween the first structure and the sheet of material, comprising thesteps of: boring a plurality of holes through the second structure, eachhole aligned with a surface of the first structure; inserting anelongated member through each hole; fastening each member to the firststructure, by inserting a tool into the interior of each such member andmanipulating the tool such that each such member is rotated; removingthe tool from the member; aligning each of a plurality of holes in thesheet of material with a fastened member; placing a fastener within eachhole in the sheet of material; fastening the sheet of material to suchmembers by joining each such fastener with a fastened member.

According to one embodiment, there is provided, for windows in veneerwalls of the type having wood frame structure surrounding the windowopening and concealed behind the veneer, a method for attaching a sheetof material to the wood frame structure, comprising the steps of: boringa plurality of holes through the veneer, each hole aligned with asurface of the wood frame structure; inserting an elongated memberthrough each hole; fastening each member to the wood frame structure, byinserting a tool into the interior of each such member and manipulatingthe tool such that each such member is rotated; removing the tool fromthe member; aligning each of a plurality of holes in the sheet ofmaterial with a fastened member; placing a fastener within each hole inthe sheet of material; fastening the sheet of material to such membersby joining each such fastener with a fastened member.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a device for securing anobject to a first structure through a hole in a second structure,comprising an elongated member, the member having a first end and asecond end, the member first end having threads, the member second endhaving an increasing diameter over at least a portion of the membersecond end length, the diameter increasing away from the member firstend, the member second end further having an interior, the member secondend interior being shaped and sized for receiving a fastener within themember second end interior, the member second end interior also beingshaped and sized to receive a tool, such that the member is rotatable,in either direction, by manipulation of the received tool.

According to a further embodiment, the member first end further has adiameter, the member first end diameter being approximately equal to thediameter of the fastener.

According to a further embodiment, the rigidity of the elongated memberis such that, when the member is attached to the first structure theweight of the secured object is substantially removed from the secondstructure.

According to a further embodiment, the member first end and membersecond join to form a shoulder.

According to a further embodiment, the member first end threads are woodscrew threads, the wood screw threads being positioned such that themember screws into the first structure when rotated.

According to a further embodiment, the member first end threads are lagscrew threads, the lag screw threads being positioned such that themember screws into the first structure when rotated.

According to a further embodiment, the member first end threads aremachine screw threads, the machine screw threads being positioned suchthat the member screws into the first structure when rotated.

According to a further embodiment, the device further comprises a plug,the plug being shaped and sized such that it is securely received by thesecond end interior when said fastener is not in said second endinterior.

According to a further embodiment, the plug has a cap, the cap beingsized such that it substantially covers hole in the second structurewhen the plug is inserted into the second end interior.

According to a further embodiment, the tool has a square head.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a threaded fastener.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a non-threadedfastener.

According to a further embodiment, the member is stainless steel.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a device for securing anobject to a first structure through a hole in a second structure,comprising: an elongated member, the member having a first end and asecond end, the member second end having an interior; means forattaching the member to the first structure; means for securing anobject to the member second end; and means for receiving a tool withinthe second end interior, such that the member is rotatable, in eitherdirection, by manipulation of the tool.

According to a further embodiment, the member second end has anincreasing diameter over at least a portion of the member second endlength, the diameter increasing away from the member first end.

According to a further embodiment, wherein the tool has a square head.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a method for attachingone or more objects to a first structure where a second structure isbetween the first structure and the one or more objects, comprising thesteps of: boring a plurality of holes through the second structure, eachhole aligned with a surface of the first structure; inserting anelongated member through each hole, the elongated member having a flaredend, the flared end being wider than the bored holes; fastening eachmember to the first structure, by inserting a tool into the interior ofeach such member and manipulating the tool such that each such member isrotated, such rotation causing the flared end to substantially close thebored hole; removing the tool from the member; aligning one or moreholes in each object to be attached with a fastened member; placing afastener within each hole in each such object; fastening the each suchobject to such members by joining each such fastener with a fastenedmember.

According to a further embodiment, the tool has a square head.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a threaded fastener.

According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a non-threadedfastener.

According to one embodiment, there is provided for windows in veneerwalls having wood frame structure surrounding the window opening andconcealed behind the veneer, a device for attaching a sheet of materialto such wood frame structure through holes bored in the veneer,comprising an elongated member, the member having a first end and asecond end, the member first end having threads for attaching the memberto the wood frame structure, the member second end having an increasingdiameter over at least a portion of the member second end length, thediameter increasing away from the member first end, the member secondend further having an interior, the member second end being shaped andsized for receiving a fastener within the member second end interior,the member second end interior also being shaped and sized to receive atool, such that the member is rotatable, in either direction, bymanipulation of the received tool.

According to one embodiment, there is provided for windows in veneerwalls having wood frame structure surrounding the window opening andconcealed behind the veneer, a device for attaching a sheet of materialto such wood frame structure through holes bored in the veneer,comprising: an elongated member, the member having a first end and asecond end, the member first end having threads for attaching the memberto the wood frame structure, the member second end having an increasingdiameter over at least a portion of the member second end length, thediameter increasing away from the member first end, the member secondend further having an interior; means for securing the sheet of materialto the member second end; and means for receiving a tool within thesecond end interior, such that the member is rotatable, in eitherdirection, by manipulation of the tool.

According to one embodiment, there is provided for windows in veneerwalls having wood frame structure surrounding the window opening andconcealed behind the veneer, a method for attaching one or more objectsto the wood frame structure, comprising the steps of: boring a pluralityof holes through the veneer, each hole aligned with a surface of thewood frame structure; inserting an elongated member through each hole,the elongated member having a flared end, the flared end being widerthan the bored holes; fastening each member to the wood frame structure,by inserting a tool into the interior of each such member andmanipulating the tool such that each such member is rotated, suchrotation causing the flared end to substantially close the bored hole;removing the tool from the member; aligning one or more holes in eachobject to be attached with a fastened member; placing a fastener withineach hole in each such object; fastening the each such object to suchmembers by joining each such fastener with a fastened member.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a method for attaching asheet of material to a first structure where a second structure isbetween the first structure and the sheet of material, comprising thesteps of: boring a plurality of holes through the second structure, eachhole aligned with a surface of the first structure; inserting anelongated member through each hole, the elongated member having a flaredend, the flared end being wider than the bored holes; fastening eachmember to the first structure, by inserting a tool into the interior ofeach such member and manipulating the tool such that each such member isrotated, such rotation causing the flared end to substantially close thebored hole; removing the tool from the member; aligning each of aplurality of holes in the sheet of material with a fastened member;placing a fastener within each hole in the sheet of material; fasteningthe sheet of material to such members by joining each such fastener witha fastened member.

According to one embodiment, there is provided for windows in veneerwalls having wood frame structure surrounding the window opening andconcealed behind the veneer, a method for attaching a sheet of materialto the wood frame structure, comprising the steps of: boring a pluralityof holes through the veneer, each hole aligned with a surface of thewood frame structure; inserting an elongated member through each hole,the elongated member having a flared end, the flared end being widerthan the bored holes; fastening each member to the wood frame structure,by inserting a tool into the interior of each such member andmanipulating the tool such that each such member is rotated, suchrotation causing the flared end to substantially close the bored hole;removing the tool from the member; aligning each of a plurality of holesin the sheet of material with a fastened member; placing a fastenerwithin each hole in the sheet of material; fastening the sheet ofmaterial to such members by joining each such fastener with a fastenedmember.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 depicts a view of the installed device in a brick veneer wallconstruction, with the wall materials cut away to show the device inplace.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of a portion of the device cut along cuttingplane 4—4, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a portion of a second embodiment of thedevice cut along cutting plane 5—5, as analogously shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a threaded plastic plug.

FIG. 7 depicts a view of an alternate embodiment of the device installedin a brick veneer wall construction, with the wall materials cut away toshow the device in place.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the device with the interior shown by hiddenlines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment 10 of my invention is depicted in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1illustrates the positioning of the device 10 in a brick veneer wall 12.The wood framing 14 is overlaid by sheathing 16 and is separated fromthe brick 18 by an air gap 20. The bricks 18 are separated by mortar 22.A sheet of protective material 24 is attached to the device 10 by a bolt26 with washer 28. Although not depicted, the device 10 can be sopositioned in numerous other decorative veneer materials, such as rock,stucco, synthetic stucco, Exterior Insulation and Finish System,masonry, wood siding, aluminum siding, metal siding, or vinyl siding.Similarly, the protective material can include sheets of metal, plastic,or fiberglass, as well as, shutters or shutter attachment hardware, suchas shutter hinges, other shutter mounting devices, or tracks forrolldown shutters.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device 10 is an elongated member, having a firstend 30 with wood screw threads 32. It is anticipated that a minimum oftwo inches of such threads will be required for satisfactory attachmentto the wood framing 14. The first end 30 extends beyond the wood screwthreads 32 as an unthreaded shaft 34. A second end 36 extends from thefirst end 30 through a shoulder 38 having a gradually increasingdiameter. The unthreaded shaft 34 can be varied in length to make thedevice 10 applicable to other window covering applications involvingother decorative veneers, as discussed above, in which the distancebetween the sheet of protective material 24 and the sheathing 16 variessignificantly from the equivalent distance in a brick veneerconstruction. It is anticipated that the optimum diameter for theunthreaded shaft 34 is approximately three-eighths inches, while thediameter for the second end 36 is approximately five-eighths inches,although both smaller and larger diameters are contemplated to beapplicable depending on the strength requirements of the application andthe number of the devices 10 which may be involved in a singleapplication. It is contemplated that the device 10 will be optimallyconfigured when the diameter of the first end 30 is approximately thesame as the diameter of the bolt 26.

Although not depicted, the wood screw threads 32 can be replaced bymachine screw threads where the framing is metal.

For corrosion purposes, it is anticipated that stainless steel will bethe optimum material for the device 10. Other materials are alsosuitable, such as iron, galvanized metal, and steel.

Materials used for the sheathing 16 vary greatly. It is contemplatedthat the sheathing will either be bored in manner similar to the brick18, or it will be penetrated by the wood screw threads 32.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the device 10 revealing the interior 40.FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a cutaway of a portion of the device 10.The machine threaded bore 42 is sized to receive the bolt 26 such thatapproximately 2 inches of the bolt 26 is received within the interior40. An Allen wrench hole 44 is sized to allow passage of the bolt 26.FIG. 5 depicts a second embodiment of the device 60 in which thethreaded portion 62 and Allen wrench hole 64 are configured such thatthe bolt 26 does not pass through the Allen wrench hole 64.

Although not depicted, other tool-adaptable openings in the interior 40can be used to receive tools other than Allen wrenches, such as ratchettips, breakover tips, and screwdrivers, including flathead, Phillips,square end, and others.

FIG. 6 depicts a plastic plug 70 which may be securely received by thedevice 10 when the bolt 26 and the sheet of protective material 24 areremoved.

Although the embodiments discussed above are discussed with relation tothe protection of windows, the device is readily applicable to othersituations where it is desired to attach an object to a first structurethrough holes in a second structure.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 depict embodiments of the device 70,80 that includethreads 72,82, on a first end 74,84, an unthreaded shaft 76,86, atool-adaptable opening 87 in a flared second end 78,88, attached to theunthreaded shaft 76,86, at shoulder 79,89. The flared second end 78,88adds additional stability to the installation as the flare bears uponthe brick 18, reducing or eliminating the movement of the installedflared second end 78,88. When installed the flared second end 78,88 alsoseals off the hole in the brick 18. As shown in FIG. 8, and as mentionedabove, the tool-adaptable opening in the second end 78,88 can receivesquare head tools, such as a {fraction (3/8 )} inch breakover or powertool fitting. The flare can extend over all or part of the length of thesecond end 78,88.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments arepossible. The illustrated or described embodiments are given by way ofexample only and that other embodiments will occur to those of skill inthe art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly,the spirit and scope of the claims should not be limited to thedescription of the embodiments contained herein.

I claim:
 1. In combination with a veneer wall having wood framestructure surrounding a window opening, the wood frame structure beingbehind the veneer portion of the veneer wall, a device for attaching asheet of material to such wood frame structure through holes bored inthe veneer portion of the veneer wall such that substantially all theload of the sheet of material is supported by the device, the devicecomprising an elongated member, the member having a first end and asecond end, the member first end having threads for attaching the memberto the wood frame structure, the member second end having a taper havinga diameter increasing away from the member first end, the tapersubstantially closing the bored hole in the veneer wall when the firstend is screwed into the wood frame structure, the member second endfurther having an interior, the member second end interior being shapedand sized for receiving a fastener within the member second endinterior, the member second end interior also being shaped and sized toreceive a tool, such that the member is rotatable, in either direction,by manipulation of the received tool.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinthe member first end further has a diameter, the member first enddiameter being approximately equal to the diameter of the fastener. 3.The device of claim 1, wherein the rigidity of the elongated member issuch that, when the member is attached to the first structure the weightof the secured object is substantially removed from the secondstructure.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the member first end andmember second join to form a shoulder.
 5. The device of claim 1, whereinthe member first end threads are wood screw threads, the wood screwthreads being positioned such that the member screws into the firststructure when rotated.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the memberfirst end threads are lag screw threads, the lag screw threads beingpositioned such that the member screws into the first structure whenrotated.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the member first end threadsare machine screw threads, the machine screw threads being positionedsuch that the member screws into the first structure when rotated. 8.The device of claim 1, further comprising a plug, the plug being shapedand sized such that it is securely received by the second end interiorwhen said fastener is not in said second end interior.
 9. The device ofclaim 8, further comprising the plug, the plug having a cap, the capbeing sized such that it substantially covers hole in the secondstructure when the plug is inserted into the second end interior. 10.The device of claim 1, wherein the tool has a square head.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a threaded fastener.
 12. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a non-threaded fastener. 13.The device of claim 1, wherein the member is stainless steel.
 14. Incombination with a veneer wall having wood frame structure surrounding awindow opening, the wood frame structure being behind the veneer portionof the veneer wall, a device for attaching a sheet of material to suchwood frame structure through holes bored in the veneer portion of theveneer wall such that substantially all the load of the sheet ofmaterial is supported by the device, the device comprising: an elongatedmember, the member having a first end and a second end, the membersecond end having an interior, the member second end having a taperhaving a diameter increasing away from the member first end; means forattaching the member to the wood frame structure, the member second endtaper substantially closing the bored hole in the veneer wall when thefirst end is attached to the wood frame structure; means for securing anobject to the member second end; and means for receiving a tool withinthe second end interior, such that the member is rotatable, in eitherdirection, by manipulation of the tool.
 15. The device of claim 14,wherein the tool has a square head.
 16. A method for attaching one ormore objects to a first structure where a second structure is betweenthe first structure and the one or more objects, comprising the stepsof: boring a plurality of holes through the second structure, each holealigned with a surface of the first structure; inserting an elongatedmember through each hole, the elongated member having a flared end, theflared end being wider than the bored holes; fastening each member tothe first structure, by inserting a tool into the interior of each suchmember and manipulating the tool such that each such member is rotated,such rotation causing the flared end to substantially close the boredhole, such that the flared end is substantially flush with the secondstructure, the member being rotatable, in either direction, bymanipulation of the tool; removing the tool from the member; aligningone or more holes in each object to be attached with a fastened member;placing a fastener within each hole in each such object; fastening theeach such object to such members by joining each such fastener with afastened member.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the tool has asquare head.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the fastener is athreaded fastener.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the fastener is anon-threaded fastener.